WASHINGTON--(ENEWSPF)--January 27, 2014. Planned Parenthood Federation of America president Cecile Richards issued the following statement on Friday in response to news that the Supreme Court has allowed the Little Sisters of the Poor not to file a government form stating they object to providing birth control while their case proceeds before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court made clear that the order they issued today does not speak to the merits of the case, which the Tenth Circuit is considering.

“This order is not about the merits. The Little Sisters’ case will continue at the federal appeals court. Religious groups have been exempt from the birth control benefit all along, and they still are. This case raises a very narrow and specific question about the administrative mechanism that religious groups use to claim their exemption. This is a case about paperwork, not religious liberty.

“More than 27 million women are already able to get birth control without a co-pay because of this benefit, and this case does not affect them. The birth control benefit is a historic step forward, and it remains in effect.

“The bigger question, which could affect millions of women, will come before the Supreme Court this spring when they hear cases from private, for-profit corporations who want to deny their employees birth control because the owners are religiously opposed to contraception. Those cases could set a dangerous precedent and have a significant impact on women’s lives. For women making an hourly wage, insurance coverage for birth control can save hundreds of dollars a year. For women, this is a health care issue, an economic concern, and a matter of basic justice.”

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

Source: plannedparenthood.org

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